Sydney woman dies after being attacked by her pet dog

An elderly woman from Sydney's south-west has died after she was attacked by her pet dog on Thursday afternoon.

Rosemary O’Reilly, 72, from Wilton, suffered significant bite wounds and lacerations to her arms, legs and body when she was attacked by the large Staffordshire terrier-Rhodesian ridgeback cross at her home.

Rosemary O'Reilly and her husband owned the dog for about three years before it turned on them.

She was taken to Liverpool Hospital, but her condition deteriorated and she died while undergoing surgery.

A Wollondilly Shire Council spokesperson said the fatal attack was "extremely upsetting to us and our community".

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"Our thoughts are with the family and all of the first responders that had to manage this very distressing incident," the spokesperson said.

The woman's husband, Derek O’Reilly, 74, was also attacked and bitten while trying to drag the dog off his wife.

He was treated at the scene for puncture wounds and is in a stable condition, police said.

The couple's son was also present but was not injured.

Police said that the couple had owned the large cross-breed for about three years and there were a number of dogs at their home.

Council rangers have seized the dog. The council said "the impounded dog is registered and we have no record of any previous reports to council regarding this dog".